Cited by 490Dark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaGalaxies: Formation, Evolution, PhenomenaStellar, planetary, and galactic studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 224 of the 228 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The local dark matter density

Open access
Read, J I·2014·Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics

Abstract

I review current efforts to measure the mean density of dark matter near the Sun. This encodes valuable dynamical information about our Galaxy and is also of great importance for 'direct detection' dark matter experiments. I discuss theoretical expectations in our current cosmology; the theory behind mass modelling of the Galaxy; and I show how combining local and global measures probes the shape of the Milky Way dark matter halo and the possible presence of a 'dark disc'. I stress the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and highlight the continuing need for detailed tests on mock data—particularly in the light of recently discovered evidence for disequilibria in the Milky Way disc. I collate the latest measurements of ρ dm and show that, once the baryonic surface density contribution Σ b is normalized across different groups, there is remarkably good agreement. Compiling data from the literature, I estimate Σ b = 54.2 ± 4.9 M ⊙ pc −2 , where the dominant source of uncertainty is in the H i gas contribution. Assuming this contribution from the baryons, I highlight several recent measurements of ρ dm in order of increasing data complexity and prior, and, correspondingly, decreasing formal error bars. Comparing these measurements with spherical extrapolations from the Milky Way's rotation curve, I show that the Milky Way is consistent with having a spherical dark matter halo at R 0 ∼ 8 kpc. The very latest measures of ρ dm based on ∼10 000 stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey appear to favour little halo flattening at R 0 , suggesting that the Galaxy has a rather weak dark matter disc, with a correspondingly quiescent merger history. I caution, however, that this result hinges on there being no large systematics that remain to be uncovered in the SDSS data, and on the local baryonic surface density being Σ b ∼ 55 M ⊙ pc −2 . I conclude by discussing how the new Gaia satellite will be transformative. We will obtain much tighter constraints on both Σ b and ρ dm by having accurate 6D phase space data for millions of stars near the Sun. These data will drive us towards fully three dimensional models of our Galactic potential, moving us into the realm of precision measurements of ρ dm .

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Show all 222 references

Research works printed but not linked: 21

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Metadata

Authors
Read, J. I.
Affiliations
University of Surrey (GB)
Corresponding author
Read, J I
Venue
Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Published
2014-05-12
Volume
41
Issue
6
Pages
063101
ISSN
  • 0954-3899 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-6471
OpenAlex
W2149961863
Cited by
489
References
222
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 10
FWCI
16.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Physics G Nuclear and Particle Physics (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
Keywords
local dark matter density, Milky Way dark matter halo, baryonic surface density, rotation curves, halo flattening, Gaia, halo merger history

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